Canada tops Korea DPR, progresses at FIFA U-20 WWC

MONTREAL – Janine Beckie scored a second-half goal to lift Canada to a 1-0 victory over Korea DPR on Tuesday and both sides advanced to the knockout stages of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

The Koreans captured first place and Canada came in second on goal difference after finishing in a three-way tie for the top spot in Group A along with Ghana, all on six points each.

In front of 13,031 fans at Olympic Stadium, the 19-year-old Beckie netted in the 65th minute, breaking a stalemate with her second goal of the competition.

Second-half substitute Amandine Pierre-Louis energized her hometown crowd by playing a feed into the right side of the box for Nichelle Prince, who sent the ball to the back post. The unmarked Beckie was there to tap in from four-yards out.

It was a remarkable turnaround for Canada, which dropped its tournament opener to Ghana and trailed Finland, 2-0, at halftime in their second outing before staging a furious rally to win.

In Saturday’s quarterfinal pairings, the Canadians will next face Group B winner Germany in Edmonton, while Korea DPR takes on Group A runner-up and CONCACAF champion United States in Toronto.